Meeda looked at Ahheel.“Is there a table waiting?”
“Oh, yeah.It’s ready now.”
Faline bent her knees, tightened her arms, and stood, walking out of the shop while Ever laughed his ass off.
Vine was carried past Kazuya, who met and chatted with Akervel, while Mini was talking with Ever.Faline and the omega in her arms made their way to the hotel, past a number of very amused competitors.Faline walked like Vine didn’t weigh anything.
Meeda walked with them, and apparently, a beta wearing an omega wasn’t worth more than a quick photo.Meeda smiled and waved at the hostess, who grinned and showed them to their table in a secluded corner.
Faline chuckled.“Off, barnacle.”
Vine lifted her tear-streaked face and settled on a chair but kept Faline’s hand wrapped in hers.
Meeda settled on Faline’s other side.“There.As you can see, we are so happy our little kitten made it home.”
Faline smiled.“I really did.”
Vine held her hand and said, “Can you quiet-tell me?”
Faline sighed and took her hand.Their joined hands glowed, and Vine twitched.
Tears ran down her cheeks, and she whispered, “We thought you were dead.”
Faline squeezed her hand and showed her something that made her smile.Vine murmured, “That’s...Moira?”
“Yes.She wanted a kitten and demanded me, so here I am.”She smiled.“I helped her pick a new kitten, and they are now very happy together.She’s an A-class cuddler.”
“You are...good?”Vine whispered.
“I am good.I contacted my friend Ever to let him know I was on Wonder, and he zipped over with his courting alpha.I wasn’t anticipating joining the race, but it was fun, and I got to use my catlike reflexes.”
Ever grinned but didn’t wreck the story.
“But you are okay?You have money and a place to live?”
Faline smiled.“I have a job.I live at Moira’s grandmother’s place with her and the new kitten.”
“Ever is a good friend?”Vine looked at him.
“He’s a great friend and super smart.He owns a ton of patents and hides behind his ditzy-snuggler persona.”
Ever was laughing quietly and spoke to the server.
Vine grinned.“The alpha who is with him?”
“Ever is taking him for a test drive.If he doesn’t warm to me, he’s gonna drop him like a hot rock.”
Vine frowned.“What do you mean, warm to you?”
“He’s really into Ever, and he isn’t into me, and Ever wants me to be with him permanently but also knows that I need some affection as well.I can’t just sit by waiting until he’s free all the time.Ever works around the clock when he’s on a creating jag.I need cuddles and hate waiting.”
Her friend nodded along.
Meeda blinked.“How long have you known him?”
“Um, since high school, so about ten years.”
Meeda felt a sinking horror.“How long were you stuck as a kitten?”
